ZT 0770CF - A True Gentleman's Folder from Zero Tolerance

bld522

bld522

Joined
Feb 3, 2004
Messages
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I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for ZT to produce a Gentleman's folder. With a 3.25" blade, a closed length of 4.32", and a weight of 3.0 ounces, ZT has FINALLY entered the lightweight EDC arena with the 0770CF. And I, for one, am stoked! Is it all the knife I've been hoping for? Not exactly. I would much prefer had been designed with KVT instead of AO and it lacks a lanyard hole. But I'm not about to let those things slow me down from doing something I've wanted to do for a very, very long time . . . own and CARRY a ZT knife.

My hope, of course, is that the 0770CF will sell well enough that ZT will see the wisdom of creating a Hinderer-designed knife with similar specifications. After all, if Rick can make an XM-18 with a 3" blade that weighs under 4 ounces, ZT should be able to make an 056x that does the same thing. How cool would that be?

Anyway, one knife at a time. I sincerely hope the 0770CF is a monster hit for ZT. I'll be signing up for one soon.
 
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Mine do. But then I generally carry my knives in my wallet and they're a bear to get out of the coin compartment without a lanyard. And the 0566 is far too bulky for me to EDC. My weight limit is 4 ounces or less. You're right, though. The maximum closed length for wallet carry is 4" and the 0770CF exceeds that by about .033". So a lanyard hole wouldn't really be necessary. (PS: It might help if I explain that I never use pocket clips. That's another reason I like lanyards.)
 
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The no pocket clips idea makes perfect sense now that you mention it. I will add that I also like to carry some knives without any clips. The one that I keep handy most times is the CB Leek, it's just one of those knives that really gets looked at more as a collectable rather than a capable cutter. I'm really excited to get this 0770, it's going to become my primary folder.
 
I would love to have been a fly on the wall of KAI's Board Room when the notion of creating a 3 ounce ZT folder was initially floated. Can you imagine? That would have been as strange as eavesdropping on William Henry execs discussing the possibility of releasing a heavy-duty folder. I feel like I'm in the middle of an Outer Limits episode with a happy ending. :D
 
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Hopefully ZT will take their Elmax blades a little harder this time around.
 
I'm also looking forward to the 0770CF with its good looks, compact size and weight. Unfortunately, I don't anticipate it soon due to the fact that fairly recently they wisely decided to switch from aluminium to CF scales. Production needs to be ramped up. I hope I'm wrong.

The ZT 0770CF has yet to appear on the ZT website!
 
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Once they updated this to the carbon fiber it went from a knife that didnt spark my interest to one that has me drooling!
 
I do believe that the A/O can be removed though, because I'm pretty sure that it has a detent hole.
 
TotalDbag said:
I do believe that the A/O can be removed though, because I'm pretty sure that it has a detent hole.
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I hope that is true. No detent hole is a deal breaker for me.
I would like to make this knife my first flipper. I will have to wait and see.

This knife is my favorite recent ZT.
 
RamZar said:
I'm also looking forward to the 0770CF with its good looks, compact size and weight. Unfortunately, I don't anticipate it soon due to the fact that fairly recently they wisely decided to switch from aluminium to CF scales. Production needs to be ramped up. I hope I'm wrong.

The ZT 0770CF has yet to appear on the ZT website!
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I've waited this long. What's a few more months when a miracle is looming on the horizon? I just hope ZT execs don't change their minds and shelve it before it's released. To call the 0770CF a departure from ZT's traditional design philosophy could be the knife industry's understatement of the year. :)

TotalDbag said:
I do believe that the A/O can be removed though, because I'm pretty sure that it has a detent hole.
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Easy now. Easy. I don't know how much more excitement I can stand!!! :D
 
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Nullity said:
I hope that is true. No detent hole is a deal breaker for me.
I would like to make this knife my first flipper. I will have to wait and see.

This knife is my favorite recent ZT.
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I do believe it had a detent:)
 
The 0770's are getting close to production, but the carbon fiber material will take little bit to get in stock. The plan right now is to make a run of the original Aluminum handles first, and then jump into the carbon fiber permanently.

The current plan is to make both the 0770's and the 0566's with Speedsafe AND a detent hole. HOWEVER, please keep in mind that this change will affect the action. The Speedsafe mechanism has a "bias toward closure” all by itself. The action tends to be smoothest without a drilled detent hole. The hole creates added resistance when couple with the resistance created by Speedsafe.

My overall point is that we're going to try it, but If the action becomes unacceptable, there is a chance we might have to remove the detent hole. I don't think this will happen as we made other knives that have both features before and still make a few this way. I'll try to keep you all updated as we continue to work on these models.

Jim
 
jimmer_5 said:
The 0770's are getting close to production, but the carbon fiber material will take little bit to get in stock. The plan right now is to make a run of the original Aluminum handles first, and then jump into the carbon fiber permanently.

The current plan is to make both the 0770's and the 0566's with Speedsafe AND a detent hole. HOWEVER, please keep in mind that this change will affect the action. The Speedsafe mechanism has a "bias toward closure” all by itself. The action tends to be smoothest without a drilled detent hole. The hole creates added resistance when couple with the resistance created by Speedsafe.

My overall point is that we're going to try it, but If the action becomes unacceptable, there is a chance we might have to remove the detent hole. I don't think this will happen as we made other knives that have both features before and still make a few this way. I'll try to keep you all updated as we continue to work on these models.

Jim
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I would say the majority would like the knife without the speedsafe. The 350 without the speedsafe is an awesome flipper.
 
xICEMANx said:
I would say the majority would like the knife without the speedsafe. The 350 without the speedsafe is an awesome flipper.
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I would have to disagree with you xICEMANx. There are sales reasons we use SpeedSafe in a ton of designs. There may be some here on the forums that prefer manual action, but let's not forget our sales reach goes way beyond the BFC.
 
Kai Corp. said:
I would have to disagree with you xICEMANx. There are sales reasons we use SpeedSafe in a ton of designs. There may be some here on the forums that prefer manual action, but let's not forget our sales reach goes way beyond the BFC.
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True, BUT do those numbers translate to the assited Kershaw branded knives or the Zero Tolerance knives? I think your knife nuts like us go more for the ZT line? Just curious. I know my preference is definelty not towards speedsafe. I'm glad to see most of the new knives coming out on the ZT line aren't assisted. 0600, 454, 801,etc.
 
xICEMANx said:
True, BUT do those numbers translate to the assited Kershaw branded knives or the Zero Tolerance knives?
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Both IMO.
I think your knife nuts like us go more for the ZT line?
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In some cases perhaps
Just curious. I'm glad to see most of the new knives coming out on the ZT line aren't assisted. 0600, 454, 801,etc.
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We constantly look for deversity. Size, action, price, designer, materials, etc...
 
I pre-ordered this a while back with Blade HQ. While I would definitely take the aluminum, my preference is the CF. Wondering now if I should just cancel the order and wait until I'm sure I can get the CF version.
 
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